PRC - Portable Radio Communication

From RadioNerds
Revision as of 15:04, 25 March 2015 by RadioNerds (talk | contribs)
Jump to navigation Jump to search


AN/PRC-1 RT-30
Suitcase portable, HF, CW transmitter receiver. Built into a common suitcase, the PRC-1 was originally intended for use by the OSS in WW-II. It was however rejected as too heavy. Regardless, it saw extensive service with them and other Intelligence and Guerrilla forces. Ops 2-12mc in two continuously tunable bands, AM or CW (rec). Two bands with Xtal control, CW only (trans). RF power output is 30 watts. Size 18 x 13.25 x 17.25" 32lbs,OD color
AN/PRC-2
VHF set for Paratroop Liaison
AN/PRC-3
Portable microwave set to replace signal lights
AN/PRC-4
Disguised version of BC-611
AN/PRC-5
CW transmitter-receiver built for use by special agents of Military Intelligence. Set could be supplied in either luggage-type carry case, or contained in canvas bags. Transmitter ops 4-16mc via 4 plug in coils sets, xtal control with 10-16 watts output. Receiver ops 4.5-16mc continuously tunable in 2 bands. Powered from 110 or 220vac mains. Size 11 x 10 x 4.5", 15lbs. Black crinkle finish
AN/PRC-6 RT-196
VHF FM handheld transceiver. Intended to replace the BC-611 of WW-II, development started before the end of that war. The PRC-6 entered service in 1951; preliminary manuals were printed in 1949. It remained in service at least until the mid 1960's. Ops 47-54mc,approx RF output 350mw, 1 channel xtal control. Requires 1.5v/850ma, 45v/8ma, 90v/30ma(trans), 1.5v/550, 45v/12ma, 90v/3ma/, -3v/bs (rec), supplied by BA-270 battery. Size, 4.75 x 4.75 x 14.5,3.5lbs. Accessories include H-33 handset, short tape antenna, AT-249 or AT-340 homing antennas, ID-292 channel alignment indicator, CK-6 xtal kit (42 CR-23 xtals in metal box).
AN/PRC-7 (XN-1)
Ground, vehicular, or backpack transceiver. Possibly never progressed past the experimental stage, only one has ever been encountered. It is thought to use some common modules with the PRC-10 family of radios. Ops 2-12mc(trans), 2-15mc(rec), AM, on five xtal control channels, with 800mw RF output. Accessories include 10'10"whip antenna, batteries B-34 (6vdc), B-35 (1.5vdc), 3ea B-53 (135vdc). 4 3/4 x 10 1/8 x 9 27/32". Developed by RCA for US Navy circa 1955,original cost $392.00
  • AN/PRC-8 Variants of this family of radios are known to have been produced in numerous countries with some expanding on the U.S. systems to include: Solid state inverter type power supplies that allowed backpack operation from standard batteries (at least France and Canada). Dual type handset and antenna compatibility (at least Canada). R.F. power amplifiers for increased range while mobile (France and Germany).
AN/PRC-9
Variants of this family of radios are known to have been produced in numerous countries with some expanding on the U.S. systems to include: Solid state inverter type power supplies that allowed backpack operation from standard batteries (at least France and Canada). Dual type handset and antenna compatibility (at least Canada). R.F. power amplifiers for increased range while mobile (France and Germany).
AN/PRC-10
Variants of this family of radios are known to have been produced in numerous countries with some expanding on the U.S. systems to include: Solid state inverter type power supplies that allowed backpack operation from standard batteries (at least France and Canada). Dual type handset and antenna compatibility (at least Canada). R.F. power amplifiers for increased range while mobile (France and Germany).
AN/PRC-11
AN/PRC-12
AN/PRC-13
AN/PRC-14 RT-271
Backpack UHF AM transceiver. Intended for use by FAC's in strike control of Fighter Aircraft. Operates on any of four xtal control channels between 225-399.9mc,AM, with approx 1 watt RF output. The PRC 14 can use either an H-33 handset or T-17 mic & HS-30 headphones (in conjunction with CX-2098 cable). Other accessories include CW-293 Radio set bag, CX-2097 power cable, ME-68 ammeter, BB-402 6v wet cell. Circa 1958.
AN/PRC-15
Experimental Handheld VHF/FM transceiver. Ops on two xtal control channels, 47-55.4mc,with an output power of 100mw.Requires 45v/12ma & 1.5v/500ma (rec), 45v/24ma & 1.5v/560ma (trans). Size 2 3/8 x 2 1/2 x 10 1/2,3.5lbs.

Jane's Military Communications, 1979/80,81 & 88 List an HF version of the PRC-15 as being in use by US Armed Forces. However, the picture shown has been obviously posed for by a professional model. It is believed that either a type O has been made or this is a Manufactures model number and not an AN/type. The radio pictured bears a strong Southcomm family resemblance. In any case, the PRC-15 designation is not an officially adopted one, nor has the US adopted or do they use this radio with that number affixed.

AN/PRC-16
Backpack or portable ground VHF, FM transceiver. Adaptation of the normally vehicular RT-70/GRC. Ops 47-58mc,FM, with an RF output of approx 500mw. Requires 6v & 90v supplied by 5ea BA-403, & 1ea BA-419.Circa, 1951.
AN/PRC-17
Handheld VHF/UHF AM transceiver intended for search & rescue service & used by the US Navy. Ops on 121.5 & 243mc AM/MCW, with an RF power output of 50mw.Requires 135v & 1.5v supplied by internal batteries. Size 14 3/4 x 2 5/8 x2 7/8". Original cost circa 1951-1953
AN/PRC-18
AN/PRC-19
AN/PRC-20
Commercial (Sunair) model number for the AN/PRC-108
AN/PRC-21 RT-209
Hand-carried portable VHF/FM transceiver. Probable use was by Military Police & other security forces. Ops on one xtal control frequency between 152-174mc with an RF power output of 150mw. Requires 67.5v/11ma, 45v/10ma, 1.5v/420ma,-6v/10-125ma (rec), 135v/28ma, 67.5v/4ma,
AN/PRC-22
The PRC-22 is described as a UHF "Handie Talkie" capable of operation over the frequency range of 225-399.9mc with a possible 1760 channels. RF output power is rated at 300mw, with AM voice operation. Circa 1951, only three components are noted as being part of the PRC-22 system: R.F Tuner, I.F. amplifier, Power Supply. The latter might indicate the use of a vibrator type power supply and wet cell batteries. Built by Air Associates Inc., contract NObar-52660 June 1951.
AN/PRC-23 RT-235
Hand-carried portable VHF/FM transceiver. Adoption of the commercial Motorola FHTR-1BLL. Ops on one xtal control frequency between 25-30mc with an RF output power of 500mw. Requires 6ea BA-30 1.5v batteries, 3ea BA-51 67.5v batteries, & AT-348 antenna. Size 12 5/8 x 3 1/8 x 12 1/2", 14.9lbs. Circa approx 1953
  • AN/PRC-24 RT-236: Identical to PRC-23 except operation is from 40-50mc, Motorola model number FHTR-1BH
  • AN/PRC-25 /RT-505; First solid state FM, tactical backpack transceiver, also first to use the now standard 150cps tone squelch system. Ops 30-75.95mc, synthesized, on any of 920 channels at 50 kHz spacing, with 2 mechanically set. RF power output is rated at 2 watts; actual measured output averages 4 watts. Radio can be used vehicular with the addition of the AM-2060 amplifier/power supply (several other types avail), see VRC-53 & GRC-125 for more info. Requires 3v & 12-15v normally supplied by BA-4386 (many battery types exist). Size (RT-505 less battery box) 4 x 11 x 11", 13.5lbs. Numerous accessories were/are produced for the PRC-25/77 family to help it fulfil many roles, the major ones are AT-892 (short tape antenna), AT-271 & AB-591 (long antenna & rubber spring base), AT-912 or AS-1729 (vehicular antennas), T-984 (longwire antenna, RC-292 (fixed station antenna), AT-784 (homing antenna), ST-138 (backpack harness), CY-2562 (battery box), H-138 or H-189 (handsets), CW-503 (canvas antenna & accessories bag).
  • AN/PRC-26 This number was originally intended to be used on the PRC-35. However, it was skipped to avoid possible confusion with the Canadian CPRC-26. A quantity of these radios were procured by the US in the mid 1950's to be tested as a possible replacement for the PRC-6. For more info see CPRC-26
  • AN/PRC-27 Backpack UHF/AM transceiver. Intended for use by ground troops for close air support purposes as a replacement for the Navy model MAY. Ops 225-400mc on any one of 4 xtal control channels. R.F. output power is rated at 2 watts. DC power derived from internal dry batteries. Size 3 x 12 x 19", 25 lbs. Built by Designers for Industry, Cleveland Oh., Contract NObar-63367, March 1953.
  • AN/PRC-28 /RT-339; Backpack VHF, FM transceiver, Identical to PRC-9A, except is not continuously tunable. Ops 30-42mc on any one xtal controlled channel, with an RF output of 850mw.All other parameters, accessories etc are the same as PRC-9A. Original cost, circa 1953, $810.00
  • AN/PRC-29 Hand carried VHF, FM portable transceiver. Adoption of the commercial Motorola model X-11-1A. Intended for use by guards & security police for internal security or industrial control operations. Ops 30-42mc on one xtal control channel with an RF output power of 750mw. Requires three 45v (Burgess M-30) B batteries, & two ea. 1.5v standard 4F batteries. Accessories include P-8653-A (antenna), P-9096 (battery power supply), K-9098 (carry case), TA-124 (carry strap kit), & P-9094A (microphone). Size 5 x 12 1/8 x 15 1/8" 23.7lbs. US Navy order date 20 Sept. 1954.
  • AN/PRC-30 Experimental handheld VHF FM transceiver. Very similar to the PRC-15, this set was the first attempt to utilize the then new solid state technology. Ops 25-50mc,on any two of 500 channels, xtal control. With an RF output power of 100mw. Requires 4.5v/15ma & 1.5v/5ma(rec), 4.5v/250ma & 1.5v/450ma (trans). Size 2 x 2 x 8.5", 2lbs 12oz. Ref.#14


  • AN/PRC-31
  • AN/PRC-32 Handheld UHF AM, MCW transceiver. Apparently intended for use by downed Airman. Approx vintage 1960. Ops on 243mc, Requires an external battery connected via an umbilical cable (Possibly the same as that used on the URC-4). Size 2 7/8 x 1 3/4 x 4 3/4", haze gray in color.
AN/PRC-33
/RT-339; Hand carried VHF FM portable transceiver. Adoption of a militarized commercial radio set Type PS-40 Model HC by Industrial Radio. Ops on any one xtal control channel between 30-42mc,with an RF output power of 750mw. Requires 1.5v (Burgess 8F), 45v, & 135v (both B voltages supplied by multiple Burgess M-39 batteries), a 110vac and various DC vibrator supplies are also known to have been made. Accessories include AT-673 (antenna), CY-1916 (case), & microphone. Size 4.5 x 10 x 11.5", 15lbs. US Navy order date 14 Sept.1955.
Retrieved from "https://radionerds.com/index.php?title=PRC_-_Portable_Radio_Communication&oldid=14684"